Lillestroem vs Viktoria Plzen Match Preview

Lillestroem 2

Viktoria Plzen 2

Lillestroem

• Hans Erik Ødegaard will be without Espen Garnås and Camil Jebara through injury, although the hosts seem to have come through their recent domestic fixtures without any additional selection concerns. Lillestrøm should therefore be able to retain much of the side behind their three consecutive victories, with improved confidence offering encouragement after the heavy defeat against Real Sociedad.
• Pontus Dahlberg is set to start behind a back four comprising Lars Ranger, Sander Moen Foss, Ruben Gabrielsen and Yaw Paintsil. Defensive organisation has been a significant concern for Lillestrøm in Europe, particularly after conceding six unanswered goals against Real Sociedad. They have also conceded ten goals across their last six competitive matches, while five of their previous seven home fixtures have seen them concede at least twice, highlighting the importance of improving their defensive resilience against Viktoria’s productive attack.
• Filip Ottosson is set to operate as the holding midfielder, with Felix Vá, Ylldren Ibrahimaj, Gustav Nyheim and Gustav Nordh providing support further up the pitch. Lillestrøm have shown an ability to make positive starts in recent matches, scoring first in four of their last six competitive fixtures, while the opening goal has arrived within the first 30 minutes in four of their previous five outings. Nyheim has been particularly influential, contributing one goal and two assists in his last two appearances, although he has also picked up a yellow card during that period. Lillestrøm have won all seven matches in which he has scored for the club.
• Thomas Lehne Olsen is set to lead the attack and remains Lillestrøm’s most productive player in the Europa League this season, having scored twice across the opening three matchdays.

Viktoria Plzen

• Václav Jemelka and Jan Paluska will be missing for Radoslav Kováč through injury, but the visitors have no new selection issues ahead of their Norway trip. Viktoria have made more starting line-up changes than any other Europa League team this season, with 14 alterations across their first three matches, as the manager seeks a successful combination during a tough European campaign.
• Florian Wiegele is likely to continue behind a back three of Tobias Paliscak, Sampson Dweh and Filip Prebsl. Viktoria have conceded nine goals in their last six competitive matches, but their recent away performances have been much more encouraging. They have won three consecutive away matches, scoring at least three goals in each, but their Europa League away record remains poor following defeat in their only previous fixture outside the Doosan Aréna.
• Adam Gabriel and Merchas Doski are expected to play as wing-backs, with Lukáš Červ and Patrik Hrošovský forming the central midfield duo. Viktoria have been in strong attacking form recently, scoring 16 goals in their last six competitive matches. However, their games have often been high-scoring, with each of their previous ten matches featuring at least three goals and five of their last six seeing both teams score.
• Alexandr Sojka and Amar Memić are likely to support Prince Adu, with Memić in particularly impressive form. The Bosnian international provided three assists at the weekend and has now been directly involved in five goals across his last four appearances, scoring twice and providing three assists. Seven of his previous eight goals for Viktoria have arrived after half-time, making him a potential threat as the match progresses.